Is Jose Reyes Worth Carl Crawford Money?

Tim Farrell/The Star-LedgerWill Jose Reyes be running from the Mets this offseason?

By now, most fans are well aware of Mets owner Fred Wilpon's comments in regards to some of the Mets star players. As most Met fans probably are, I was most sensatitive to the Jose Reyes given that I have shouted to anyone who would listen that the Mets need to resign their star shortstop.

Jose Reyes has never stated that he wants a contract similar to Carl Crawford. In fact, he has continuously said that he wants to remain in New York. Whether that is the truth or if that stance has changed since the New Yorker article, we will have to wait and see.

There are striking similarities between Crawford and Reyes. Using all of their full season's statistics they are remarkably close in nearly every category. They are within 10 points of eachother in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. Crawford is slightly better in those categories, but Reyes has slightly more steals, hits, and extra base hits. While Crawford is a superb outfielder, Jose Reyes plays the toughest, and most important position on the diamond, and he is pretty darn good at it. With great range and a cannon for an arm, there are not many shortstops I would take defensively over Reyes. Further to Reyes' credit, he is currently in the midst of a great season, while Crawford has been slow to get out of the gates in 2011.

Reyes does bring some questions with him that Crawford does not. The main question teams will be asking themselves when deciding on a contract offer for Reyes is the future of his health. Jose Reyes was plagued with injuries while in the Mets' minor league system but managed to stay healthy until 2009. In 2009 and early in 2010 encountered injury issues, but even in 2010 he managed to paly 130 games. Any player can be injured at any time, and I do not see Reyes as any more of a risk than the average player.

Business Insider gives an analysis of this very topic and actually believes that Jose Reyes is worth more then Carl Crawford. They also bring up a great point by noting that Carl Crawford is not even worth Carl Crawford's contract. For details on Crawford's contract, BizOfBaseball has a detailed breakdown. By just looking at the players statistical comparison, one can easily make the argument that Reyes is worth just as much money as Crawford, if not slightly more.

Each year the free agency market fluctuates. Last year the Red Sox were willing to exceed Crawford's market value and give him the years and the money that twisted his arm. That does not necissarily mean that the market conditions will be the same this offseason. Personally, I'd be shocked is Reyes was able to recieve a 7 year contract making over 20 million per year. In fact, if some team is willing to offer him that, I would not be extremely upset as a Met fan even though I want him resigned.

Another player who was similar to Reyes and recieved a contract around the same age was Jimmy Rollins. When Rollins was 26 years old he recieved an extension from the Phillies worth 5 years and 40 million dollars. Jose Reyes has put up better numbers than Rollins in almost every cateogry but still close enough to create a good comparison. They both play in big market cities, at the same position, and are recieving big contracts at the same age. Of course Rollins recieved his contract 6 years ago which accounts for the less dollar value per year. Also, Rollins had his best years in the seasons following the contract extension.

Jose Reyes probably should fall somewhere in the middle of the Jimmy Rollins and Carl Crawford contracts. I think that a 5 year deal worth about 80 million dollars is a fair deal for both parties. That said, if I am Jose Reyes's agent, I am going out of my way to achieve a Carl Crawford type deal just to stick it to the Mets. Only time will tell what will happen, but it is safe to say that Fred Wilpon was incorrect in his statement that Jose Reyes is not worth Carl Crawford money.